Delphinium plant named ‘Moon Light’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Delphinium  hybrid cultivar named ‘Moon Light’ is disclosed, characterized by an upright plant habit, vigorous growth and large lavender flowers with a large quantity of petals. The new cultivar produces strong flower stems, freely and continuously flowering from early through late Summer. The new variety is a  Delphinium  hybrid, suitable for garden or outdoor container use.

Latin name of the genus and species: Delphinium hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘Moon Light’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new variety was discovered, by the inventor, as the result of a hand crossed, planned breeding program in Scotland. The parent varieties are both unnamed, undistributed proprietary seedlings. The discovery of the new variety was made by the inventor, Tony Coakley in August 2001 in a cultivated field of Delphiniums in Glasgow, Scotland.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘Moon Light’ by tissue culture was performed in the Netherlands following selection and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘Moon Light’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘Moon Light’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘Moon Light’ as a new and distinct Delphinium cultivar:

-   -   1. Upright plant habit.     -   2. Vigorous growth habit.     -   3. Strong flower stem.     -   4. Freely and continuous flowering habit.     -   5. Increased number of petals.     -   6. Large individual flower size.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘Moon Light’ are similar to plants of the seed parent variety, an unnamed Delphinium hybrid in most horticultural characteristics; however, flowers of the new variety have more petals, and a stronger, more consistent color.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘Moon Light’ are similar to plants of the pollen parent variety, an unnamed Delphinium hybrid in most horticultural characteristics; however, flowers of the new variety have more petals, and a stronger, more consistent color.

The inventor is unaware of similar commercial varieties for comparison to ‘Moon Light.’ The strong flowering stems, unique flower coloration and increased petal count make the new cultivar unlike other Delphiniums in the trade.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘Moon Light’ grown outdoors in Scotland. The pot size is a 1 liter container. The plant shown is approximately 9 months. The photograph was taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘Moon Light’ plants grown outdoors in the Scotland from Winter to Summer. The growing temperature ranged from 5° C. to 17° C. at night to 14° C. to 28° C. during the day. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical flowering types.

-   Botanical classification: Delphinium hybrid cultivar ‘Moon Light.’

Propagation

-   Time to rooting: About 4 to 5 weeks at approximately 10° C. -   Root description: Fine, fibrous and fleshy roots.

Plant

-   Growth habit: Upright herbaceous perennial. -   Height: Approximately 100 cm. -   Blooming period: Naturally blooming continuously from early through     late Summer. -   Plant spread: Approximately 60 cm. -   Growth rate: Vigorous. -   Branching characteristics: Very little branching. -   Length of lateral branches: Approximately 40 cm. -   Diameter of lateral branches: Approximately 1.7 cm. -   Quantity of lateral branches: Approximately 2 to 3. -   Texture of lateral branches: Smooth, non-pubescent. -   Color of lateral branches: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144A. -   Aspect: Approximately 15 to 25° Angle. -   Number of leaves per lateral branch: Approximately 25. -   Age of plant described: Approximately 9 months from a rooted tissue     culture liner.

Foliage

-   Leaf:     -   -   Arrangement.—Rosette at plant base and alternate along             flowering stems.         -   Average length.—Approximately 12 cm.         -   Average width.—Approximately 15 cm.         -   Shape of blade.—Palmately lobed; Symmetrical.         -   Apex.—Acute to acuminate.         -   Base.—Reniform to hastate.         -   Attachment.—Stalked.         -   Margin.—Incised.         -   Texture of top surface.—Smooth.         -   Texture of bottom surface.—Smooth.         -   Color.—Upper side: Near R.H.S. Green 137A. Under side: Near             Green 138B.         -   Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: Near             Green 137A. Venation color under side: Near Green 138B. -   Petiole:     -   -   Length.—Approximately 10 cm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.3 cm.         -   Coloration.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 144B.         -   Texture.—Smooth.

Flower

-   Bloom period: Typically flowering continuously from early through     late Summer. -   Bud:     -   -   Bud shape.—Orbicular.         -   Bud length.—Approximately 2.5 cm.         -   Bud diameter.—Approximately 2.5 cm.         -   Bud color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 144D. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Form—Numerous multi-petaled flowers arranged on a raceme.         -   Length of flowering stem.—Approximately 60 cm.         -   Diameter of flowering stem.—Approximately 14 cm. -   Flower:     -   -   Quantity of individual flowers per flowering stem.—About 60.         -   Diameter of individual flower.—Approximately 6.0 cm.         -   Depth of individual flower.—Approximately 2.5 cm.         -   Fragrance.—None.         -   Persistence.—Persists. -   Petals/petaloids:     -   -   Arrangement.—Whorled.         -   Aspect/orientation.—Flat outward to slightly downward,             approximately 5° angle.         -   Shape.—Oblong.         -   Quantity.—Approximately 42.         -   Length.—Approximately 3.0 cm.         -   Width.—Approximately 1.0 cm.         -   Apex shape.—Pointed.         -   Base.—Roughly obtuse.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—Upper surface at first opening: Near RHS Violet-Blue             94A/B and Purple 76A. Upper surface at maturity: Near RHS             Purple 76A with Violet-Blue 94D and White 155C. Upper             surface at fading: Not fading, same as mature coloration.             Under surface at first opening: Near RHS Violet-Blue 94A/B             and Purple 76A. Under surface at maturity: Near RHS Purple             76A with Violet-Blue 94D and White 155C. Under surface at             fading: Not fading, same as mature coloration. -   Sepals:     -   -   Shape.—Oblong.         -   Quantity.—Approximately 10.         -   Length.—Approximately 2.5 cm.         -   Width.—Approximately 1.0 cm.         -   Apex shape.—Pointed.         -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 144A and White 155C.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture.—Slight rugose.

Reproductive Organs

All organs are fragmented due to the amount of petals, making the cultivar sterile.

Other Characteristics

-   Disease resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to     diseases or pests has been observed in this variety. -   Drought tolerance and temperature tolerance: Extremely hardy     perennial. Hardy to −20° C. Upper temperature tolerance unknown. No     tolerance for drought. -   Fruit/seed production: Cultivar is sterile, no fruit or seed     produced. 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Delphinium plant named ‘Moon Light’ as herein illustrated and described. 